Reenforcing frame for wardrobe-trunk sections



July 3, 1928.

M. E. MAHAR nzauroncme mus FOR WARDROBE TRUNK SECTIONS Filed lunch 3, 1925 INVENTOR.

M4 ATTORNEYS Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE.

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REENFORCINGFBLHE FOR WARDROBE-TRUNK SEGTIONS.

Application filed March 3, 1923. Serial No. 622,490.

This invention relatesto improvements in reenforcing frames for wardrobe trunk sections.

It has been common practiceheretofore to secure a metal frame or elbowed bar .to the inner surface of the upper end of the wardrobe section and utilize this bar as a means for connecting the hangersupporting trolle members, i. e., the rods or bars u on whic the clothes hangers slide. The object of this invention is to increase the utility of such metal trolley supporting frame bars, whereby they may be made to constitute a metallic sheathing and reenforcement for open ended wardrobe sections, the edge margins of which maybe wholly encased by a metal cover which'not only protects the edge margins of the section but provides an attractively finished surface and also more effectually reenforces the wardrobe section of a trunk to prevent the walls from warping and the side walls from spreading.

More specifically, it isan object of this invention to provide a metal sheathing for the open ended wardrobe trunk section which may be formed with minimum expense from stamped sheet metal, and which Wlll not only cover the wall edges at the open end of the section but which will extend downwardly along the inner and outer surfaces to encase the marginal portions,to provide an adequate support for the trolley brackets and rods and to impart great stren h and durabilit in proportion to the weig t of material emp oyed.

A further object is to provide means whereby the major portion of the metallic reenforcement may be formed from a single piece of stamped sheet metal ada ted to co-operate with other pieces which, or convenience and economy in production, are separately-formed in such amanner as to be held in place by the major portion. The cross sectional form of the ma or portion is such that it would be difficult to form it with the necessary elbows and end closuresfrom a single'piece of metal. But by making it with open ends and notched corners or elbows, and utilizing auxiliary stampin s, the margins of which may be concealed y the major portion when in position for use and the auxiliary pieces thereby held in place, it becomes possible to produce a highly ornamental metal cap iece for the open end of a trunk section, w ich will be devoid of exposed or exterior joints and in which the mterwrjoints between the major section and the auxiliary members become attractive as well. as useful structural features.

the major reenforcing member or sheathing.

Figure 3 is a view of the portion of the wardrobe section to which the sheathing dis-. closed in Figure 2 is to be applied, and showing also the auxiliary sheathing members in position at the corners of the trunk section.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

The trunk illustrated is of that type in which a body section A is hinged to a wardrobe section B, and also provided with a hinged lid or cover section C adapted to be closed over the wardrobe section after the latterlias been closed upon the. body section. At the angle or elbow formed by the junction of each side Wall 1 with the back wall 2 of the wardrobe section, a met-allic corner piece 4 is fitted to the inner surfaces of the wardrobe section and suspended from the upper edge margins by outwardly projecting ears 5, preferably provided with apertures 6 to receive nails, screws, or tacks, whereby these metal corner pieces 4 may be temporarily supported.

The upper inner corners of the side walls 1 are encased on four sides by box-like metal coverings 7. These coverings 7 extend over the upper edge margin, downwardly along the vertical edge margin, and are also provided with inner and outer walls which cover the inner and outer surfaces 1, 2, and 3. The bar 10 is provided with a depending flange 13 which covers the outer marginal portions of the trunk walls 1, 2, and 3, preferably continuously. But on the inner side the bar 10 is provided with shape of this sheathing member provides a depending flanges 14, 15, and 16 which extend downwardly upon the inner marginal surfaces of the walls 1, 2, and 3, but which are unconnected with each other at the corners, i. e., along the elbowed portions 11 and 12 of the bar 10. The ends of the flanges 14, 15, and 16 at these elbows lap over the vertical margins of the corner pieces 4 when the major section of the metal sheathing is applied to the wardrobe section, as illustrated in Figure 1. The elbow port-ions 11 and 12 of the bar 10 completely cover and conceal the ears 5. They also cover and conceal the top and side walls of the corner pieces 7, leaving exposedonly the surface 18 of these corner pieces. inasmuch as these corner pieces 7 do not extend below the lower margin of the exterior flange 13 of the major section. V

The inner flanges 14, 15, and 16 preferably extend downwardly a greater distance than the exterior flange 13, thereby forming a wide band on the inner surface of the up- It will be understood that inasmuch as the major section of the reenforcing metal sheathing is channel shaped and adapted to cover and to be secured to the inner and outer surfaces of the associated trunk section, injury to the edge margins of the trunk section is effectively prevented.

It will also be apparent that the channeled trolley support which can not be broken or pulled away from the wall of the trunk, and which will have great strength and resistance to torsional and bending strains in proportion to the weight of the material. It will also be apparent that an attractive structural feature is added to the wardrobe sect-ion of the trunk, since the metal surfaces may be plated or highly polished and give to the trunk section an appearance of strength and durability which such sections have heretofore lacked.

I claim:

1. The combination with an open ended wardrobe trunk section, of protecting corner pieces applied thereto, and a channel shaped metallic sheathing covering the marginal portions of the walls and of said corner pieces at the open end of said section and co-operating with. said corner pieces to completely conceal and protect said margins of the trunk section walls.

2. The combination with an open ended wardrobe trunk section, of protecting corner pieces applied thereto and provided with hanger ears lapped upon the upper margins of the section walls, a channel shaped metallic sheathing covering the marginal portions of the walls and of said corner pieces at the open end of said section and co-operatingwith said corner pieces to completely conceal and protect said margins of the trunk section walls, and trolley supporting brackets secured to the inner portions of said sheathing.

MERTON E. MAHAR. 

